diff --git a/doc/src/bond_special.rst b/doc/src/bond_special.rst
index 8c90179e96..f7dc43a1b2 100644
--- a/doc/src/bond_special.rst
+++ b/doc/src/bond_special.rst
@@ -89,8 +89,11 @@ This bond style can only be used if LAMMPS was built with the
 USER-MISC package.  See the :doc:`Build package <Build_package>` doc
 page for more info.
 
-This bond style requires use of a :doc:`pair_style <pair_style>` which
-computes a pairwise interaction.  Many-body potentials do not.
+This bond style requires the use of a :doc:`pair_style <pair_style>` which
+computes a pairwise additive interaction and provides the ability to
+compute interactions for individual pairs of atoms.  Manybody potentials
+are not compatible in general, but also some other pair styles are missing
+the required functionality and thus will cause an error.
 
 This command is not compatible with long-range Coulombic interactions. If a 
 `kspace_style <kspace_style>` is declared, an error will be issued.
diff --git a/src/USER-MISC/bond_special.cpp b/src/USER-MISC/bond_special.cpp
index 30630147ce..6c734d482e 100644
--- a/src/USER-MISC/bond_special.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-MISC/bond_special.cpp
@@ -47,7 +47,8 @@ BondSpecial::~BondSpecial()
 
 void BondSpecial::init_style()
 {
-  if (force->pair == NULL || force->pair->single_enable == 0)
+  if (force->pair == NULL) error->all(FLERR,"No pair style defined");
+  else if ((force->pair->single_enable == 0) || force->pair->manybody_flag)
     error->all(FLERR,"Pair style does not support bond style special");
 
   if (force->special_lj[1] != 0.0 || force->special_coul[1] != 0)